The Bossier banner., 1887-09-29
BELLEVUE, La, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1887.
Bunked four or five in room, we

Bunked four or five in q room, we
were given 4 few instructions and left
alone to meditation. It was two weeks
before we had undergone mental exam
ination in all the preliminary studies.
and were admitted to the academy.
During the period we were designated
as candidates by the authorities, but
''things" and "beasts" by the cadets.
In his fourth class year cadet is famil-
iarly known as ''plebe. -
land my temporary room-mates had a
short breathing spell. We heard the
rattle of drums outside and wondered if
the music the band was playing could
ever thrill US Respondent creatures. In
the midst of thought we were disturbed
by the loud voice of cadet corporal.
He stood at the bottom of the first flight
of stairs and shouted wita all his might:
Candidates, turn out promptlyr'
Down from the fourth story (known
| as the cockloft) they came rumbling and
tumbling. There was awaiting them
what l shall term the reception COM
mittee."
Take up double-time. mister, we
haven't got all day to wait
| Fall in!' the command was, sharply.
You should have seen those green boys
| trying to get in ranks. There were now
about one hundred 4beasts,' and they
looked like herd of Texas steers,
though more subdued. After while
the "beasts.' including my trembling
self, were strung out into long, waver-
ing line, and cadet corporal COM
menced to call the roll of candidates.
Each one was instructed to answer,
"Herer Some who answered ''Present"
were nipped in the bud, and taught
lesson in cadet discipline. One poor
fellow, who was rather tardy in reply
| ing to his name, was commanded TO
s'step out and answer to his name"
..Step OUT is the West Point slang for
''make haste" and when the ''beast''
actually did step out of rank, he was
surprised at the celebrity with which he
was made to step back. The forma-
ton was for dinner, and we were re-
tanned until the battalion of cadets had
started. They marched off, headed by
the drum corps, with all the accuracy
and beauty of vast machine. Finally
our time came. The plebes at the head
of the column interpreted the meaning
of the command. Forward, march, y
and the procession started for the large
granite structure known as the mess
hall.
1t was like running the gauntlet.
One cadet in the rear of the line hol-
Tered at me in voice of special envy:
drag in your chin about a yard,
mister! Iwant to see less slouching
among you beasts; stand up, sir!'
tried to obey. Each plebe had his coat
buttoned full up, the palms of his hands
to the front and all the while his toes
digging up the gravel of the area.
At the mess hall several tables laden
with hsubstantials. were for the 'beasts, ~
though not many ate heartily. Had
we been allowed to take our eyes from
our plates we would have seen several
hundred spooney cadets partaking Of
victuals with relish born of exercise,
and discussing merrily camp festivities
and the budding pleasure of climbing
beasts We could hear the whirr and
clatter, but if a cheeky ''beast" looked
up from his plate. in an instant q
'yearling'' corporal would be on han6
to reprimand him with swell, mister
what are you gazing around for? Dc
you suppose we are put here for you te
look at?"
Dinner over, back to barracks thu
''beasts" were marched. 1t was no
!, many days, however. before we were
removed to the camp to join oul
|. unbrotherly brethren who had pre-
ceded US.
Reporting has its novelty, and by th'
.. time the young aspirant enters camp ;
great deal of the novel is gone; that is
the ice is broken, but the freezing sen
! sation still fingers.
!. Plebe camp is the most unendurabl'
portion of the four years spent in cade
service.